Sourcing record players and audio players from China
Record players, turntables, CD players, digital audio players, voice recorders and other sound recording or reproducing apparatus from China pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Bluetooth or Wi-Fi models are radio equipment, app-connected ones fall under PSTI, and all need electrical safety and WEEE compliance. Cambridge China Bridge sources turntables and audio players.
Turntables, record players, CD players, digital audio players and recorders pay 0% UK duty from China. PSTI, radio and battery rules explained.
Zero duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, coin-operated record players, other sound reproducing apparatus with or without laser reading, turntables, and other sound recording or reproducing apparatus carried 0% duty on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Loudspeakers and headphones are in heading 8518; confirm the commodity code for combination units.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coin- or disc-operated record players | 8519 20 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Other apparatus with laser reading, such as CD players | 8519 20 91 00 | 0% | None |
| Other sound reproducing apparatus, other | 8519 20 99 90 | 0% | None |
| Turntables (record decks) | 8519 30 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Apparatus using magnetic, optical or semiconductor media, other | 8519 81 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Other sound recording or reproducing apparatus | 8519 89 00 00 | 0% | None |
Radio, security and safety
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi models are radio equipment. A player that connects to an app or network is a connectable product under the PSTI rules, which Schedule 3 does not except for audio products. Mains-powered units need electrical safety evidence, and all bring WEEE obligations, plus battery rules for portable players.
Audio quality
For turntables, specify speed accuracy, wow and flutter, the cartridge and stylus, and whether a phono preamp is built in. Listen to samples through the target speakers, because cheap belts and motors show up as rumble.
Inspection
At inspection, play test records or tracks on each sample, check speed, pairing and controls, and check plugs and manuals for the UK.
Cambridge China Bridge sources record players, turntables and audio players, with radio, PSTI and safety evidence settled before the order. See how our sourcing service works.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on turntables from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 25 September 2026, turntables, record players and other heading 8519 apparatus carried 0% duty from China, with no anti-dumping duty.
Do Bluetooth record players fall under PSTI?
If they connect to an app or network they are connectable products, and audio products are not among the Schedule 3 exceptions.
Where are speakers classified?
In heading 8518, not 8519.
What should I check on turntable samples?
Speed accuracy, wow and flutter, cartridge and stylus quality, rumble and any built-in phono preamp.